Never a band to perform by halves, Hot Chip stormed the O2 stage in a flurry of strobes and a riot of sound. The band kicked off their no-holds-barred set with possibly three of their […]
Live Review // This Many Boyfriends @ Brudenell Social Club
Perhaps it was the genuine surprise at the full room, perhaps the naïve kiddishness that plays alongside This Many Boyfriends’ young, fun indie-pop… either way they shout and jump with a youthful excitement, doing their […]
Live Review // Bloc Party @ O2 Academy Leeds
Saturday saw Bloc Party‘s return to Leeds after four years away, marking singer Kele’s 31st birthday with a return to form and an exhilarating party atmosphere. Kicking off with ‘Octopus’, the first single from their latest album, […]
Live Review // Liars @ Brudenell Social Club
Liars have a reputation for changing their sound. Their latest release, the Radiohead-esque WIXIW, is their first electronic record in a repertoire ranging from hard hitting dance punk to gnarly experimental percussion (finely straddling the border […]
Live Review // Hugh Cornwell @ Cockpit
“Have you ever been on a Ferry? To France? Alone?” asks the dishevelled lighting technician in front of me. A titter goes round the audience. “What?” I think. “Is that a joke?” This was […]
Live Review // Thomas Truax @ Oporto
A Thomas Truax show is not based solely on musical attraction: it’s a wonderful, eccentric experience, with the instantly lovable Truax unmistakable as the true star of the show, far out-shining the fun, if […]
Debate: Dumping The Doper
This week Lance Armstrong’s reputable career has continued to crumble beneath him. The US Anti-Doping Agency has branded him guilty and stripped his seven Tour De France titles. Big Debate asks, does he deserve […]
A Closer Look At… Sir Geoffrey Hill
Assuming the position of the University of Oxford’s Professor of Poetry position in 2010, Sir Geoffrey is the one to go to for poetry. Delighted I was then, when he came to the University’s Rupert […]
Flm | Ruby Sparks
4/5 stars Many may watch the trailer for Ruby Sparks and write it off as ‘just another Rom-Com’. But this is not your average Rom-Com. Calvin, a struggling novelist, writes about Ruby Sparks, his image […]
Comedy | David O'Doherty: Seize the David O'Doherty
4/5 stars The name of David O’Doherty’s latest tour, ‘Seize the David O’Doherty’, is an apt title. The show reflects trials and tribulations life throws at us, as well as those perfect moments where everything […]
Comedy | Chris Ramsey: Feeling Lucky
5/5 stars In the tightly packed upstairs space of The Library, Chris Ramsey shuffles past the crowd onto the stage and speaks to the floor, clutching a giant foam dice. It seems a bit odd […]
New Review: My Animals and Other Family by Clare Balding
Clare Balding is adding to her achievements. The ex-professional jockey, and sports journalist has moved on from the Olympics and written her own book. Georgia Greenfield goes to the Ilkley Literature Festival to see […]